Wheelin’ Sportsmen Shown a Good Time at Deer Hunt
The purpose of this event was to give disabled individuals a chance to enjoy the great outdoors and possibly harvest a deer.
More than 20 volunteers from the Missouri Department of Conservation and the NWTF's Sho Me Chapter in Springfield, Missouri, came together at Bois D'Arc Conservation Area to host eight Wheelin' Sportmen for a deer hunt.
Hunters harvested a total of four deer, though there were several misses.
"The event was held to give those who are a part of our disabled community the opportunity they otherwise would not have to hunt and harvest an animal," said R.L. Bennett, NWTF Missouri state chapter chairman of the board.
Volunteers coordinated logistics, arrangements for food and also served as guides for the event.
"No matter how hard you work at a Wheelin' Sportsmen event or hunt you will always take away more than you came with."
R.L. Bennett
NWTF Missouri State Chapter Chairman of the Board
According to Bennett, the event also was an opportunity to assist the Missouri Department of Conservation with a management hunt at Bois D'Arc that MDC no longer had enough personnel and funding to carryout without assistance from the local NWTF chapter.
The Wheelin’ Sportsmen program began in October 2000 as the NWTF recognized the need to help people with disabilities and mobility impairments enjoy the outdoors by participating in hunting and shooting sports.
Wheelin’ Sportsmen events provide participants an opportunity they may not be able to have on their own due to the lack of hunting land access, lack of the knowledge of how to return to the field after an injury or lack of necessary assistance.
Oftentimes, the knowledge and experience gained at one of our events allows the participants to continue hunting on their own throughout the year.